All-in-one fashion...
DENIM DUNGAREES ARE TOP OF OUR SPRING STYLE SHOPPING LIST, SAYS KATIE WRIGHT
AS lockdown restrictions begin to ease, it’s finally time to say goodbye to sweatpants and get excited about fashion again.
That doesn’t mean you have to pour yourself into a skin-tight dress and shove your toes into a pair of high heels, however.
The first phase of socialising is still going to involve lots of outdoor activities, whether it’s al fresco dining, barbecues in the garden or picnics in the park – and for that you’ll need something a bit more practical.
The answer to your style conundrum? Dungarees. An all-in-one is all you need for spring.
Dungarees have made a high-fashion comeback in recent years, with big name brands like Balmain, Burberry and Celine all putting them on the autumn/winter catwalks.
How did dungarees go from utility wear to fashion favourite? The term is believed to originate from ‘Dongri’, the name of a village in India that produced a thick calico fabric of the same name in the 17th century. The fabric was imported and used to create workwear trousers in England, the garments given the anglicised name of ‘dungarees’.
On the other side of the pond, Levi Strauss started making denim ‘waist overalls’ (essentially jeans with suspenders attached) in the 1890s, then in 1911 Harry David Lee (of Lee Jeans fame) created bib-style overalls like the ones we wear today.
Since then, dungarees have been adopted by everyone from rock stars (Elton John in the Seventies) to royalty (Princess Diana was a fan). So how do you style dungarees for SS21?
The great thing about the denim staple is its versatility. While it’s still chilly you can team your overalls with a chunky knit and trainers, then on sunny days, layer them with a cotton tee and on-trend sporty sandals. Here’s our pick of the best dungarees of the season...